Got a nice little trainer for Christmas and believe it is useful in keeping me fit during the winter. Problem is the more I read about methods the more confused I get. Had been settling in at 80 minutes a day. Now I read that one should not train too long on one. "most people find they don't want to do more than 45 minutes". And that every other day is sufficient. Good lord, I am 75 and doing 80 minutes! Am I not peddling hard enough or fast enough? Usually work up a sweat to some degree and yesterday took my pulse and found it to be around 75 percent of my maximum heart rate for my age during the middle phase (I start out easy and then work harder through the middle phase then easy again before quitting.) The other day I did 20 minutes of easy peddling and then an hour of cross country skiing.

I have no idea how long you should ride one. I ride mine until the boredom gets to me and I'm afraid Ill commit suicide if I stay on the infernal contraption one more minute.

edit - that's usually about an hour

+1 with the minor modification. It's usually about 10 minutes before the boredom sets in. From that point on it's close to unbearable. Quitting smoking 35 years ago seemed easier than riding the trainer.

Wow, God bless you for getting on the damned thing at all!

Like anything else, it's good to work up to a goal. Because of my work hours and desire to ride, I often (3x week) do 2.5 hours on Kreitler rollers with the Headwind resistance attachment. I have an iPod mounted to aero bars and watch or listen to stuff.

You get used to it...

Too much time on a trainer sounds like BS. IMO, the reason that most do not want to spend more than 45 minutes is that it is boring. In general, I like to ride the trainer but I always have a goal in mind when I start. Just getting on to ride for fitness would be difficult.

I like your trainer / cross country skiing routine. Keep it up. I sounds like you are doing great.

builds character!

I think the advice the OP got was not a prescription, just a description of how most trainers get used. I'd say use it as much as you like, with whatever kind of training plan you like. One training book coach, Dirk Friel, has written a set of workout plans specifically for trainers. "Workouts in a Binder for Indoor Cycling;" Velo Press, ISBN 1-931382-75-1. Start lobbying now for your early Valentine's present!

When I feel too lazy to get on the trainer, I think about how much fun I had last year on the road, and about the goal to be stronger and faster this spring! Makes it easy to get on the beast and fire it up.

Right or wrong, one hour at a pretty good resistance, try to maintain 85 rpm for an hour three times a week. Have been a pedal masher forever, this spring I intend to FLY.

Three days a week at the gym on alternate days, and I patiently await warmer weather. Eighteen degrees now.

I highly recommend the Chris Carmichael "Cycling for Cadence" DVD. Done correctly, it will raise your cadence (and fitness) dramatically with just a couple of sessions.

ROTFLMAO!!!! AMEN, I feel your pain!

I'm here all week. Be sure to tip your waitress.

Here is a link to my coaches website that discusses trainers, time and use etc.... https://sportvelo.com/tips/stationary_trainers.htm

Aside from the boredom factor riding indoors on a trainer is much more efficient training method than riding outdoors. There are no outside factors such as traffic, stop signs/lights, weather, etc.. and most important of them all no coasting. It is a great tool to increase your level..